snow white Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 Hi lads how much trouble is it to open a side lock shotgun I have opened box locks but not a side lock.I known I need the right screw drivers or as the trade call them turn keys.if I take the plates of does anything fall out I am quite capable of doing the job but never seen inside a side lock.thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 The Short Answer is No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 One or sometimes 2 screws on left side lock plate and none or 1 on the rht side release the locks. Sharp knock will realise if tight , do not prise with a screwdriver you will damage the wood. Locks are self contained and will not drop to pieces. Remove trigger guard as box lock, remove screw under trigger guard and under top lever and bottom plate, again sharp tap on wooden bench will release. Make sure you don't loose the auto safe rod, it threads thru the stock. Good fitting turnscrews are essential but do not try to take locks apart!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 11, 2015 Report Share Posted November 11, 2015 Simple job-much easier than a Boxlock-2 or 3 screws that should not be tight (they are not under any load) and you are away-a tap may be needed to get them to drop out and make sure that you push the triggers forwards as you replace each lock-some locks are even detachable without using any tools at all. ps-might pay you to make sure that the locks are "cocked" before removal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 opening and having a fiddle is easy...its the finding the springs when they ping around your garage and putting it back together which is more challenging... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 I`m a bit of a pedant for technical accuracy so I`ve got to say that I believe the trade would call them turn screws rather than turn keys. Might I respectfully ask what, since you apparently do`nt know how to remove the locks, you intend to do inside the gun when you get there? Given your stated level of experience I forsee tears before bedtime. Don`t do it mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted November 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hi mudpatten I am quite capable of taking my gun apart I have rebuilt more car and wagon engines than you proble seen.don't judge people when somebody asks a question it best to have a little of information before doing the job.the reason I want to open it is as got pretty wet the last five times out in two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hi Just been and took a couple of lock plates of mine One side lock One side plate Easy enough main screw was on the left loosen it but don't totally remove it tap screw head ( nylon/ brass hammer ) This will loosen lock plate enough to remove it depending on make the plate will have a dovetail / sloping edge that keys into the action Would suggest gentle especially if you think the wood has swelled Just my thoughts hope it helps All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hi mudpatten I am quite capable of taking my gun apart I have rebuilt more car and wagon engines than you proble seen.don't judge people when somebody asks a question it best to have a little of information before doing the job.the reason I want to open it is as got pretty wet the last five times out in two weeks. I really do not think that you can compare a sidelock on a gun with a car or worse, a wagon engine. Perhaps it may help you to know that 40+ years ago I too had to take the locks off an English sidelock gun, just to 'dry it out'. It ended up, when put back together, having to get a new mainspring made and fitted with the accompanying 3 figure bill. I had not got things back quite right and as soon as I opened the assembled gun, the main spring broke. That was the last time I removed a lock. If it is an old cheap Spanish or Belgian gun, feel free to get you socket set out, if not beware ! The advice offered was with good intent, I feel. If the gun is valuable, take it to a good Gunsmith for an annual service, which should include protecting both locks from rusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Been in the trade since 1968 ,I have never used a "turn screw" or a "turn key", I always used screw drivers . Turn screw is an archaic word that is only used by those who have read to many old gun books or people selling over priced and often useless case accessories . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Been in the trade since 1968 ,I have never used a "turn screw" or a "turn key", I always used screw drivers . Turn screw is an archaic word that is only used by those who have read to many old gun books or people selling over priced and often useless case accessories . I love your no nonsense, and sensible answers mate Bang on.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Not sure where I stand now, skill wise, started life as a Precision Engineer, then built/serviced plastic recycling machines before stripping cars in a scrap yard-but stripped many a gun in between. If the OP is confident with hand tools (and many are not) then I don't see any problems at all with him removing the locks-he didn't mention stripping the locks down which is a totally different kettle of banana's (and requires at the very least a spring compressor) so pop em out buddy-if moisture is your concern just spray them with WD40 then remove as much dirt as you can by using compressed air (airgun charging cylinder is perfect)-give them a wipe over with a lightly oiled cloth and use a cocktail stick to drip tiny amounts of oil on the pivot pins etc-do not over oil. After a few outings pop the locks out again and make sure that no oil has escaped onto the surrounding woodwork-wipe it with kitchen tissue if it has-if you still have access to an air line/ cylinder then give the locks another blast of air to remove any oil that has not seeped down the pivot pins etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Hi Gunman, Turn screw is a term still used by some older Holland and Holland trained gunsmiths. I don`t know about those who served their apprenticeship with other makers. The proper time served gunsmith of my aquaintance actually insists on using it and visibly winces at the use of the term "screw driver". Like him, I`m old and stuck in my ways. Snow white, I wasn`t judging you mate. Like Westley I only sought to share my own experience of venturing inside an English sidelock. I managed to drop a lock which involved the subsequent use of spring cramps, the manufacture and fitting of a new pin and ultimately incurred more cost than the strip and clean, which is what I was trying to do, would have. Good luck with your endeavours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Over the years I have spent time around the work shops of the Birmingham gun trade(now sadly almost gone) a practice I have seen a number of times is the packing of the lock plates with Vaseline jelly, in fact so much that when the lock plates were pushed back into place it would ooze out of the screw holes like tooth paste, I was told by an old gun stocker that it stops water and grit getting into the gun and it does not damage the wood like oil.Don't know if the practice is still done today, perhaps a young gunsmith/stocker could give us his/her thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 (edited) That's what was thinking of doing just air line the sxxx out and a good smear of Vaseline in to help keep the water out.P's its a William Powell 20g Edited November 13, 2015 by snow white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 I don't mind the term and if you want to use it do so . I don't . London and Birmingham trades uses several terms that are particular to them . eg. "fit in" for new barrels rather than "refit" ,"short rib" rather than "tail piece", is it an ejector kicker or ejector hammer , etc. ? There is also a difference in the terms used by those of us who make our living working at the bench and those who have picked up things from books 'is it a wood bar or a bar in wood ? But this is a whole other topic that could be well worth the time to put up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 (edited) Over the years I have spent time around the work shops of the Birmingham gun trade (now sadly almost gone) a practice I have seen a number of times is the packing of the lock plates with Vaseline jelly, in fact so much that when the lock plates were pushed back into place it would ooze out of the screw holes like tooth paste, I was told by an old gun stocker that it stops water and grit getting into the gun and it does not damage the wood like oil. Don't know if the practice is still done today, perhaps a young gunsmith/stocker could give us his/her thoughts. Actually it is Vaseline and oil mixed to thin the Vaseline down. The inside of the entire lock was then 'painted' using a childs stiffish paint brush. Westley's still use that method, or they did 4 years ago when my gun went back to them. It is still going strong after 4 years. (the 'mix' as well as the gun !) Edited November 13, 2015 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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